Hammersmith: West London Free School, John Betts or Brackenbury

[Acidophilus]

Hi

I wondered whether anyone has experience of any of these three schools? They all sound good to me: all have oustanding Ofsteds and loyal local parents. I am not sure therefore how to choose.

Many thanks

[hilbobaggins]

My DS 5 is at Brackenbury in Year 1. So far I really, really like the school. Teachers so far are lovely and approachable and there's a nice community atmosphere. JB and WLF have reputations for being more "academic" but I obviously don't have firsthand experience. Not sure what to advise, really. Have you been on open days?

[FrankieCH]

West London Free School's Ofsted was not Outstanding. It was classed as Good.

[sirfredfredgeorge]

FrankieCH I don't think the secondary school has a reception intake.

reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/139546

[Apricotjamsndwich]

Don't reject Flora Gardens out of hand. It's really doing well after a sticky patch. It's a very friendly school with lovely grounds and because not so popular - small classes.

[FrankieCH]

The head of Flora Gardens used to be at WLFS until he left suddenly.

[Acidophilus]

@FrankieCH - sorry I should have written West London Free School Primary which does have an outstanding Ofsted in every area. Also I understand the Head at West London FS Primary was a very popular Head at Brackenbury when Brackenbury got its Oustanding judgement.

Weirdly there are two schools on the same site, the other is called Earls Court Free School Primary and it has the same Head but a separate Ofsted (also oustanding). I'm confused by that.

I will look at Flora Gardens too. I have to admit that I had not considered it but from the Tube I can see it has probably the best grounds.

[Acidophilus]

@hilbobaggins - we have looked around all three schools and liked them all! Brackenbury seemed less strict and louder. but we liked the atmosphere, John betts seemed very small and personal and we partly loved that but were worried it could get claustrophobic, West London Free School Primary seemed very happy and also very well behaved but it's a lot of children on a smallish site.

[Apricotjamsndwich]

Do have a look at Flora and at its recent Ofsted, if only for comparison. My DC is in year 6 and has been very happy there since day one of reception and because of that we've kept him there even though there's more of 'our sort' up the road. I've got a lot out of being a parent at a school with such a diverse intake too.